Friday, December 3, 2010

Tis the season for giving! And giving, and giving, and giving. With Christmas gift lists getting longer each holiday, it becomes harder to come up with original, creative ideas for presents for each person on your list. Instead of buying your in-laws another dishtowel set, or getting your neighbors another pack of napkin rings, how about surprising them with a delicious bottle of their favorite wine or spirit?

Wine

Wine makes a fantastic gift for business associates, neighbors, family members, coworkers and anyone else who may be on your list this year! Bringing a bottle of wine as a gift for the host of a holiday party demonstrates thoughtfulness and appreciation. Ask your host what's on the menu so you can find a wine that will pair well with dinner or dessert.

Bold, aromatic red wines are the most popular choice for the winter season, so it's usually a safe bet to select a Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Shiraz or Merlot. There's no need to break the bank purchasing wines for everyone on your gift list. DrinkUpNY stocks a huge selection of wines from around the world, many starting at just $10. Browse our wines by price or by type to find the perfect match for your holiday festivities. We recommend Hayman & Hill "Reserve Selection" Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, California), Bodega Catena Zapata "Catena" Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) and Otto's Constant Dream Syrah (Hawkes Bay, New Zealand). Another great choice is Dupeuble Beaujolais Nouveau (Burgundy, France), an exceptional Gamay available exclusively during the holiday season.

We also recommend stocking up on Champagne, because no New Year's party is complete without it! Try Krug Grande Cuvee Brut, if you want to splurge, or De Montoux Rose and Gosset Brut "Excellence" which are more moderately priced. We also offer many fantastic sparkling wine options that retain the festive, bubbly allure of Champagne but stay within budget. We enjoy Carpene Malvolti Prosecco di Conegliano (Veneto, Italy) and Gramona Gran Cuvee Cava (Catalonia, Spain)!

Cider

One of the quintessential holiday beverages, cider is featured prominently in holiday cocktails and has long been a popular beverage for the winter season. While sweet ciders can be enjoyed as an aperitif or paired with dessert, dry ciders are usually recommended for most holiday cocktails, such as the cider martini. For an interesting alternative to your typical apple cider, try Doc's Draft Hard Raspberry Cider (New York) or Original Sin Pear Cider (California)!

Spirits

While numerous spirits are great as gifts, it's always best if you know what the recipient prefers. If not, try to select a smooth, warming spirit that suits the season, such as brandy, whiskey or rum. We have selected a variety of spirits from different price points to not only suit the palate, but also the wallet!

Whiskey

A staple of any home bar, whiskey is popular year round, but is especially suited for the holiday season. There are many different types of whiskey, but here are a few gift options to get you started: Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, Compass Box "Flaming Heart" Blended Scotch, Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey and High West Very Rare 21 Year Old Straight Rye.

Brandy

After coming home from a freezing winter day it's great to settle down by the fire (or radiator) with a rich, warming glass of brandy. Treat your friends and family to Chateau de Pellehaut Reserve Tenareze Armagnac, Bache-Gabrielsen "Natur & Eleganse" VSOP Cognac, Germain-Robin "Coast Road Reserve" Craft-Method California Brandy or Laird's Old Apple Brandy.

Rum

Although a popular ingredient in summer cocktails, rum is suitable for year-round enjoyment. Many rums are both delicious and inexpensive, but there are a few that make quite exceptional gifts:

Black Tot "Last Consignment" British Royal Naval Rum - A unique piece of history and a rare find for collectors, this bottle contains some of the last remaining rum from the rations of the British Navy.

About Me

We are a licensed wine and spirits store based in Brooklyn, NY. We strive to offer our customers a diverse and carefully selected array of fine libations, from the everyday to the incredibly rare, all at excellent prices. We’re always adding unexpected, exciting and hard-to-find wines and spirits, and want to help our customers discover something they will love!